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Etymology

Starting during the Ming Dynasty, “Hong Kong” became the original name for the presently-named Aberdeen village.[1] In the early 19th century, foreigners who landed near Aberdeen Village mistook the name of the village “Hong Kong” for the whole island. When the foreigners eventually realized their mistake, the name “Hong Kong" was already commonly used to refer to the entire island.[1] Thus in 1845, Aberdeen was named after the British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen. It is famous to tourists for its floating village and the floating seafood restaurants such as the Jumbo Floating Restaurant. The Tanka people are generally associated with the fishing industry, and there are also several dozen expatriates living on boats in the harbour.

Aberdeen is known indigenously as Heung Kong Tsai or Hong Kong Tsai (香港仔), which means Hong Kong Minor. It is believed that Aberdeen is where the name of Hong Kong (more accurate transcription, Heung Kong) originates. Heung Kong Tsuen (香港村, Hong Kong village) on Ap Lei Chau was mentioned in Ming maps. Another walled-village Heung Kong Wai in Wong Chuk Hang was also founded during Qianlong era of Qing. Heung Kong means 'fragrant harbour' and it was Aberdeen where incense trees (Aquilaria sinensis) from the New Territories used to be transferred for export to other cities in China. One alternative Chinese name was "Shek Pai Wan"[2] (石排灣).

Panoramic view of Aberdeen Harbour, Hong Kong, from Ocean Park. The island at the centre is Ap Lei Chau. Aberdeen Harbour is located between Ap Lei Chau and the town of Aberdeen to the right.

In popular culture

The Hollywood martial arts film, Enter the Dragon starring Bruce Lee used Aberdeen Harbour as a filming location for the scenes where the principal characters assemble on Han's junk for the sea journey to his island.